1. Best overall Fitbit

The Charge 3 one-ups the Charge 2 in nearly every way, while sticking at the same price. There's an advanced Fitbit PurePulse heart rate monitor, guided breathing, interchangeable bands, a large touchscreen, data tracking with VO2 Max and an SpO2 sensor - plus, it's swimproof.

Cardio Fitness Level is one of our favourite features. It's a proper fitness metric that lets you see how in shape you are compared to other people your age and gender. There are over 15 goal-based modes, including running, biking, swimming, weight training and even yoga. There's a guided breathing exercise to help you calm down, too.

And once you've set your goals, the Charge 3 will start guiding you on how to accomplish them. It's largely just motivation, so if you're a self-motivator this won't be a big deal, but for those looking to get into fitness it can be a big help.

The size of the display on the Charge 3 is larger than the Charge 2, and Fitbit has slimmed down the device and made the bands softer, which means the Charge 3 better contours to your wrist.

The Charge 3 is also one of the best Fitbits for sleep tracking. It has Sleep Stages and Sleep Insights, which you'll find on the Alta HR (and new Inspire HR), but it's also going to let that SpO2 sensor look for breathing irregularities as part of the Sleep Score Beta by Fitbit Labs later this year.

Overall, the Charge 3 feels like Fitbit's flagship fitness tracker finessed, but our main criticism (which could be a positive, depending on how you look at it) is that it still hasn't got all of its features. Fitbit promises that it will be able to track for conditions like atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea. Fitbit's getting closer to this with features like Sleep Score, but it'll need FDA clearance first.

2. Best Fitbit smartwatch

The company's second smartwatch essentially replaces the Fitbit Blaze, and if it's a smartwatch you're after, this is the Fitbit for you. The Versa features a lighter and more curvaceous look than the Ionic (Fitbit's other smartwatch), with a display measuring 1.34 inches diagonally and the light bezel coming in at 11.2mm thick.

You can also pick up the Versa in black, grey or rose gold in its standard edition, and charcoal or rose gold in the more pricey Fitbit Versa Special Edition.

It has a much more unisex design than the Ionic, with users able to switch out to different straps easily, too.

However, it's important to be aware of the big omission on the spec sheet - GPS. You can still piggyback off your phone when running or cycling outside, but those who want more dedicated tracking will likely be better suited to the more pricey and sporty Ionic.

On the software end, things are almost identical to the GPS-packing watch. You'll get the same four-day battery life, access to Fitbit's App Gallery, Fitbit Coach and Fitbit Pay, while Fitbit's new women's health tracking is now also live and available to use.

In our view, this is the best Fitbit smartwatch. Save for serious trackers, this is the device that will appeal to the most people. We should mention that the Fitbit Versa 2 is rumored to be on the way equipped with support for Amazon's Alexa smart assistant. So that's something to keep in mind.

3. Best cheap Fitbit smartwatch

The Versa is a massive success, so it's no surprise to see that Fitbit has done a Versa spin-off called the Versa Lite Edition. It's a more affordable Versa (about $50 less than the regular), and to make it more affordable Fitbit has culled some features. Check out our Versa v Versa Lite comparison, if you're looking for all the details.

It's a near identical design, though Fitbit has ditched the two side buttons from the pricier Versa. It comes in two new colors that the other Versa isn't available in and you still get those interchangeable straps.

On the software front, it's largely the same experience, although you do miss out on Fitbit Coach support to download workouts onto the watch. Updating the watch is done a little differently too with Wi-Fi missing in action, doing it in the background when you sync the device to the app.

Sports tracking performance is pretty much identical to the first Versa while battery life will get you through four or five days depending on usage. If you can live without those extras and just want that core smartwatch experience, then the Versa Lite definitely fits the bill.

4. Best Fitbit with GPS and smartwatch skills

Despite the Versa officially being Fitbit's "mass appeal" smartwatch, the company entered the space with the Ionic.

And with it, we also have another Apple Watch rival in the mix. It brings all the usual frivolities in the exercise tracking department, so expect your steps and calories to be counted, alongside the option to make use of the altimeter, accelerometer, compass, GPS and heart rate monitor for more rigorous activity.

The company's SmartTrack tech will automatically recognise a score of different exercises, but runners, cyclists, swimmers and treadmill runners will also have dedicated modes within the watch. And for those looking for a more structured workout, the Coach app is available to provide plans of varying difficulties and durations.

It's not just activity Fitbit is helping you with, though, as its sleep technology, four-day battery life and Fitbit Pay also star on the device.

The futuristic design may be a sticking point for some, but this is a sporty smartwatch that represents the best of what the company has to offer. That includes the Fitbit app store, which Versa owners can also peruse.

Alternatively you can pick up the Fitbit Ionic Adidas Edition, which, if we're being honest, doesn't add that much extra on top of the standard Ionic. If you like the idea of a two-tone colour look and some Adidas training extras, then it may well have some appeal.

5. Best Fitbit for women

The Alta is gone. Well, Fitbit has retired it, and its replacement is the Inspire family, which comes in models with or without a heart rate monitor.

This slim-line, dainty activity bands is perfect for smaller wrists, yet still manages to boast a bigger touchscreen display than the old Alta range. What's more, it's also waterproof, offering some basic swim tracking ‚Äď making it more versatile that its predecessor, too. The tracker is also replacing the Flex, Zip and One ranges, with Fitbit offering an additional Clip accessory if you don't want to wear it on your wrist.

It covers the usual fitness tracking bases, with the heart rate monitor-packing version unlocking features like Sleep Stages, guided breathing and training with heart rate zones. HR performance is pretty much in line with other Fitbit devices. It's good for continuous monitoring, but struggles for higher intensity workouts. You also get the goal-based exercise modes from the Charge 3 and SmartTrack tech to automatically recognise when you're working out.

There's notification support here, but that's as far as the smartwatch features go. There's no third-party app support, either, but you do get a decent handful of watch faces to choose from. The bigger screen also means notifications don't feel as cramped to view as they did on the Alta ,and they work well paired to Android phones and the iPhone.

It's a feature-packed fitness tracker that, crucially, doesn't come at a great expense. This is now Fitbit's cheapest tracker range, whether you go for the Fitbit Inspire or the Inspire HR. Both now sit below the $100 price mark. Combined with Fitbit's great companion app that also unlocks additional features like female health tracking, you're getting a great overall fitness tracker that won't break the bank.

6. Best Fitbit for men

Half smartwatch, half fitness tracker, the Fitbit Blaze offers heart rate data and built-in workouts all on the wrist. With the arrival of the Fitbit Versa Lite, however, the Blaze is joining the retired wearables like the Surge. You're not going to find the Blaze on Fitbit's website any longer, and it's going to get harder to hunt down.

Still, gym bunnies will approve of the automatic exercise detection, biometrics and the FitStar support to walk you through calorie-busting workouts. It's disappointing for runners and cyclists, as it still relies on your smartphone for GPS data.

It now also has the cardio fitness levels and guided breathing features from the Charge 3 to make the hybrid a more feature-packed option. You also get Sleep Stages, which tracks how long you spend in light, deep and REM sleep. That's currently only available on the Blaze, Charge 3, Inspire HR, Ionic, Versa and Versa Lite.

7. Waterproof Fitbit fitness tracker

In terms of tracking, the Flex 2 covers the bases; monitoring steps, calories, active minutes, hourly activity and sleep. You also get the benefit of Fitbit's SmartTrack tech to automatically recognise and track workouts, including walking, running, cycling and aerobic workouts.

The Flex 2 is 30% smaller than the original, but the real story is that this was the wearable tech heavyweight's first swim-proof tracker. With its water-resistant design, you get swim tracking features, letting you automatically track pool sessions and delivering metrics on laps, duration and calories burned. If you want a swimproof fitness tracker with a screen, then you'll need to pay a bit more for the Charge 3.

Now with the Inspire and Inspire HR around, the Flex 2 is not long for this world. You can still nab it from other retailers right now.

8. Best Fitbit for kids

Fitbit Ace 2

The Ace 2 is aimed at kids aged six and up, which is slightly younger than the original Ace's eight and up age range. It also comes with new colors that might appeal to kids and a modular design that utilizes a bumper to keep the display a little safer as kids run around and play.

The Ace 2 still does the fitness tracking basics. There's steps and active minutes (10 minutes of moderate movement). It can also log sleep duration and quality, and will tell you whether you were restless, asleep or awake.

There are new watch faces with animations that Fitbit hopes will keep kids motivated. Like the original Ace, adults will be able to keep track of their kids steps, activity and sleep tracking. To make it a truly 24/7 tracker it's swim-proof so your kids will be able to hit the pool with it too.

On the privacy front, Fitbit says the Ace is 100% applicable to all child privacy laws and when you set up the Ace 2 for the first time it'll make sure to walk you through its privacy policy.

Even better, your kids will get to grow up with the Ace. They'll be able to pop out the tracker for the bumper and put it into bands from the new Inspire fitness tracker and even upgrade the UI to something less cartoony.

4 comments

stmcgill·20-May-2018 12:16 pm

I thought the same as soon as I read it. Feels like finding a situation to fit every Fitbit rather than¬†actual journalism. Charge 2 best for indoor workouts? Seriously? How is it better than an Ionic or Versa for such an activity besides the need to mention every single Fitbit?

I am very disappointed in the durability for the Fitbit Versa. I have only had it for two months and the face is cracked. In comparison, I have have a Garmin VivoActive for 3 years, 3 Tough Mudders, countless number of days at the gym. I only starting using the Fitbit Versa because it was a gift for Christmas and thought a change might be good. It has good analytics, but if the watch itself cannot last more than two months what is the point of how good the app is. I am sticking with the Garmin, it's a tank.

I have had a Fitbit for four and a half years, from the Charge HR, to the Charge 2, and now the Charge 3. The product itself has been pretty good, minus connection issues as time goes on (the longer I have had each Fitbit, the longer it's taken to connect and sync with the app. Every time. All three generations. Until I had to replace it with the newer version.).

However, my review is for the company itself. My account was recently hacked, I got a notice that my email address attached has been changed. I called customer service right away, because there isn't a 'click here if this wasn't you' button in the email like in most subscription based products today. They processed my phone call quickly, I was talking with a real person within minutes. That's where the helpfulness stopped. Their 'security department' can only be reached by email. Fine, I'll wait. Four days later, I finally get an email that my case is being processed. This should be a simple fix, I call and answer security questions and they update/change my email and password. Not so. Four days, and I call again. I ask to speak to someone in security, I'm told I cant. I ask to speak to someone higher up to get answers on why this will take so long and why I can't speak directly with security. I am told there are no higher ups. There is nothing I can do, no one I can speak to about getting back into my account that I have spent four and a half years building. All my sleep and heart rate data, my cycle, everything I have spent literal years working so hard to achieve and track- gone. Customer service there is a joke. I hope you don't ever get hacked because it's a nightmare to deal with. I haven't even worn my $150 product for the last week because there is no point! If it can't sync with an account, it can't keep track of my progress. Money down the drain. Years of work down the drain. I wouldn't even bother calling, they won't help you!